Sound of Freedom, directed by Alejandro Gómez Monteverde, has sparked questions about its promotional tactics despite being one of the most unexpectedly successful films of 2023. The movie recounts the real-life story of Tim Ballard, a former government agent who left his job to establish Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking networks.
The dramatization of the true story in Sound of Freedom is more complex than it initially seems. Online debate has heated up regarding controversy surrounding the film, with some claiming its association to QAnon and others accusing Hollywood and the mainstream media of trying to block it. Despite its current top position in the US domestic box office charts, some believe the film isn't receiving the promotion it deserves. The truth behind these claims is explored further.
Is Sound of Freedom not being promoted?
The Sound of Freedom has its own dedicated social media pages, along with numerous posts from its distributor, Angel Studios. However, fans are questioning why the movie isn't receiving more promotion. This seems to be aimed at major news outlets, movie theaters, and streaming platforms, hinting at suspicions that they may have ulterior motives to cover up sex trafficking crimes.
In 2019, Disney acquired the rights to Sound of Freedom after purchasing 21st Century Fox, but ultimately decided not to move forward with the project. After a difficult battle to secure a distribution deal, the film eventually found its way to Angel Studios, with the support of $5 million in crowdfunding from investors. The movie, now in theaters, has quickly risen to the top spot at the box office on Independence Day. Check showtimes at the provided link and see Sound of Freedom today.
— Sound of Freedom | Movie Twitter handle (@SOFMovie2023) on July 6, 2023
Following its release, numerous reviews have labeled the film as "QAnon adjacent" due to its content and the public endorsements of the conspiracy theory by both Tim Ballard and actor Jim Caviezel, known for his role in Passion of the Christ.
Those who are acquainted with the QAnon theory understand that its followers believe in the existence of a group of Satanic elitists who engage in cannibalism and operate a child sex trafficking ring. It is also believed that this group conspired against Donald Trump during his presidency. The movement alleges that politicians, mainstream media, and Hollywood are all colluding with these abusers, working to promote their agenda and protect them. This is the concern surrounding the promotion of the film "Sound of Freedom".
Allegations persist that Disney, Netflix, and Amazon Prime have refused to acquire the rights to Sound of Freedom or promote its release in order to suppress the truth about child abuse from reaching global audiences. They are also accused of enabling mainstream media outlets to criticize the movie for the same reason.
While the film is scheduled for an international release in the future, one Twitter user questioned: "Why can't we watch Sound of Freedom in Australia? The lack of promotion for this movie reveals a cover-up by our corrupt governments and media. The truth must be exposed!"
"I don't usually discuss movies openly, but Sound of Freedom is a must-watch. It is one of the most captivating films that has not received much promotion or attention from major media outlets," expressed one person. Another commented, "Why isn't the movie Sound of Freedom being heavily promoted right now... it's honestly so incredible." A third person added, "I just finished Sound of Freedom and it was the most intense movie I have ever seen. The fact that it was delayed for 5 years and is not being promoted says a lot."
One Twitter user has suggested that the lack of promotion for the film on billboards and official ad campaigns may be due to its smaller budget compared to blockbuster movies. According to the user, "The Sound of Freedom may tell a very important story, however, the reason it’s not being promoted is because it's from a small studio that doesn’t have money for promo. The only movies that get promo are the ones who can afford to pay for it. Stop politicizing everything." It’s important to note that there is no evidence to suggest intentional avoidance of promotion, as the film has been widely available since its release in theaters.
Where is Sound of Freedom being promoted?
Alongside its dedicated social media campaigns, Sound of Freedom has received endorsements from numerous celebrities, politicians, and religious outlets.
The Washington Stand recently featured an article titled "Five reasons you must see Sound of Freedom," with the American evangelical activist group, Family Research Council. The article has gained traction on various right-wing media platforms, including Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire and 4Chan forums. However, the film's conservative affiliations have overshadowed its central plot, which revolves around the very real issue of one of the world's worst crimes, as noted by Variety's Owen Gleiberman in his review. Gleiberman emphasized that the film is not just for right-wing fundamentalists seeking a faith-based suspense film.
"Even if you don't hold radical beliefs, you can still find Sound of Freedom to be a gripping movie that sheds light on a crucial criminal atrocity that Hollywood has largely avoided." - Mel Gibson, Go See #SoundOfFreedom Out July 4th. pic.twitter.com/MIS2wiuhUv
— Ray (Trumpish) (@RayLaFleur27) July 1, 2023
In addition, Mel Gibson, Dana White, and Elon Musk have all shown their support for the movie in various ways. Gibson shared a video encouraging people to see Sound of Freedom, White provided free cinema tickets for his employees, and the Twitter CEO offered free promotion on the platform.
But a significant portion of its success has been attributed to word of mouth, with numerous social media posts, YouTube videos, and online discussions about the movie. Angel Studios has also implemented a Pay It Forward program, allowing moviegoers to purchase tickets for those who may not be able to afford them. As a result of the campaign, almost 4.1 million tickets have been purchased for Sound of Freedom, surpassing its goal of 2 million tickets.
What did Lauren Chen say about Sound of Freedom?
Lauren Chen, a controversial YouTuber known for her political and social commentary, has recently gained attention with the release of Sound of Freedom. Her YouTube video titled “Why Hollywood elites don’t want you to watch Sound of Freedom” has garnered more than 1.2 million views and is a segment taken from the latest episode of the PBD podcast featuring Chen. In the clip, she explains why it took so long to get Sound of Freedom out, stating: “It was made by Fox before the Disney acquisition. So then Disney, they essentially didn’t release it, they didn’t want to release it; they sold it to this other studio and this studio actually had to crowdfund to get a theatrical release.
It's ironic that it beat Indiana Jones for one weekend, given that the money could have gone to Disney. It's suspicious that Disney chose not to release the movie. Was it not in line with their branding? Chen criticized "liberal" media outlets for being afraid for their children and not preventing something objectively evil.
This excerpt provides a glimpse into one side of the debate about the film and its reception. If you're interested in watching the full video, "Sound of Freedom" is available for streaming on Prime Video. To learn more, you can sign up for Prime Video here or explore our other related content below.
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Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of "Sound of Freedom," I am thrilled by its unexpected success and the powerful message it conveys. The film's dramatization of Tim Ballard's real-life experiences in combating sex trafficking is both inspiring and thought-provoking. However, I share the concerns expressed by many regarding the limited promotion it has received. The allegations of its association with QAnon and the lack of support from major news outlets, movie theaters, and streaming platforms raise suspicions about potential attempts to suppress the truth about child abuse. It is crucial that this important film reaches a wider audience, and I urge everyone to support its promotion and distribution.
The film's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where sex trafficking remains a pervasive and devastating issue. By shedding light on the horrors of this crime and the heroic efforts of individuals like Tim Ballard, "Sound of Freedom" has the potential to inspire positive change and raise awareness about this urgent matter. I believe that the film deserves the recognition and promotion it deserves, and I hope that more people will have the opportunity to experience its powerful impact.